The researcher´s work focus on (1) how biodiversity links to ecosystem functioning (BEF), (2) the trade-offs between BEF and ecosystem services (ES), and (3) different socio-ecological goals for effective approaches to long-standing conservation and sustainable development problems. Understanding this intricacy, while taking strapping measures to diminish current losses of species, is essential for a reliable and efficient management of Earth´s life-support systems, i.e. ecosystems and their biodiversity. The researcher has taken particular interest in understanding marine invertebrate ES from mangroves and seagrasses under global change, ES from marine and terrestrial protected areas, as well as urban green areas, related to conservation and sustainability. She is also focused on the ecosystem services and disservices provided by the invasive fish Silurus glanis. The researcher has also dedicated to the study of the effects of invasive species on biodiversity and the global functioning of freshwater ecosystems, namely the study of population dynamics, genetic structure and trophic interactions of introduced and native populations, using Procambarus clarkii as the prime biological model. More broadly, these studies provided information and data on the processes and mechanisms involved in biological invasions and, in long term, allow us to understand their evolutionary adaptations to new environmental conditions. An integrative approach of the ecological and genetic processes presented by introduced and native populations of P. clarkii, as well as the interspecific interactions of this species with native and other invasive species from invaded wetland communities has been undertaken. The acquired knowledge has provided new insights and scientific basis to develop conservation strategies in invaded natural aquatic communities. To strengthen the links between strategy and managing by stakeholders with scientific knowledge, the researcher collaborates with national (Portuguese) conservation and environmental agencies. Related work to the study of biodiversity and ecosystem processes also included the assessment of: 1) geographical patterns and morphological and genetic differentiation of marine and estuarine invertebrates; 2) aquatic invertebrate composition and structure of freshwater ecosystems in connection to trophic links. The researcher has also developed work in the neurosciences area from 2008 to 2014. During that period she studied the processes and mechanisms involved in the neuromuscular transmission through aging and disease, and the effects of adenosine in fine tuning this synaptic transmission. The main idea was to discover innovative approaches to advance new ALS therapeutics by modulating ALS transgenic mice neuromuscular transmission with adenosine and by rescuing glial cells.